Andrew Cyrille studied at the Julliard and Hartnett schools of music emerging to professional gigs with such noted legends as Mary Lou Williams, and Coleman Hawkins. In 1964, Cyrille formed an eleven year association with pianist, Cecil Taylor, establishing himself as “one of the most instinctively, musically, inventive drummers of the era.”
Since 1969, Cyrille has worked with many notable dance groups, most recently with Cleo Parker Robinson and her dance company. He has organized several percussion groups including Dialogue of the Drums, Pieces of Time, Weights and Measures, which featured such distinguished artists such as Kenny Clark, Milford Graves, Famoudou Don Moye, Michael Carvin, Victor Lewis, Ghanian drummer, Obo Addy and Haitian drummer, Frisner Augustin. He has toured internationally with renowned Russian percussionist, Vladimir Tarasov.
He has also worked with some of the leading proponents of contemporary music such as Richard Muhal Abrams, John Carter, Walt Dickerson, David Murray.
Cyrille has been artist-in-residence at Antioch College and is currently on faculty at The New School University in New York City. His sterling work has earned him several grants and awards including funding from the NEA, Meet the Composer and a Guggenheim Fellowship for composition.
A much in-demand drummer, Cyrille tours records and performs in the US and abroad. He frequently performs and records with Trio 3 (Oliver Lake/Reggie Workman/Andrew Cyrille). He leads his own groups in various formations and performs in duo, trio and larger configurations with luminaries such as Archie Shepp, Roswell Rudd, Marilyn Crispell, Geri Allen, Dave Burrell, Richard Teitelbaum, Irene Schweizer, Henry Grimes, Dave Douglas, Joe Lovano, Anthony Braxton and Greg Osby.